Loader of the dipper type



June 17, 1952 G. R. DEMPsTER LOADER oF THE DIPPER TYPE 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed May 13, 1947 INVENTOR. rg@ I?. Denqosi'el'.

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June 17, 1952 G. R. DEMPSTER LOADER OF THE DIPPER TYPE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 15, 1947 INVENTOR. R Del/Lpse/t Geore P BY @wma/wn, Mmm# A'lor/ Patented June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to loaders of the dipper type, and more particularly to loaders that can be applied to trucks or tractors either as a front end loader or a rear end loader.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved loader of the type characterized which may be readily operated by a fluid pressure system that can be mounted on the chassis of the vehicle as a self-contained unit and powered,v if desired, from the engine of the vehicle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a loader of the type characterized with improved means to effect a crowding action of the dipper to assist in operating the same when resistance is encountered.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loader of the type characterized with means for facilitating a change in the angle at which the dipper is made to act.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loader of the type characterized wherein the emptying of the dipper is effected automatically by reason of the same being moved above a predetermined position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loaderk of the type characterized which may take the form of an attachment that may be readily applied to known rigs for raising and lowering loads and also, preferably, for moving said loads forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the chassis of the vehicle on which the rig is disposed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loader of the type characterized which may be readily conditioned for operation on upwardly or downwardly inclined surfaces and for digging below or above the level of the surface on which the vehicle is disposed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loader of the type characterized which is so operated by fluid pressure as to effect a wide range of movement of the dipper and also provide flexibility of service.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loader of the type characterized which is -of such construction that it may be readily applied to either trucks or to tractors, and which may be used either at the front or the rear end of the vehicle with which it is associated. l

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loader of the type characterized which when used as a front end loader is so constructed that it may be compactly associated with the engine of the vehicle when moving from place to place.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved loader of the type characterized which is simple and rugged in construction, easy to operate, and highly efficient in use.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, two of which are illustrated on the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed as a denition of the limits of the invention, reference lbeing had tothe appended claims for that purpose.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein the same reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts in the several figures,

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of a rig embodying the present invention used as a rear end loaderon a truck;

Fig. 2 is a corresponding view of another embodimentvof the present invention used as a front end loader on a tractor; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of the dipper, to show the automatic latch employed on the dipper of both embodiments, as viewed from the line 3 3 of Fig. l.

While the embodiment of Fig. 1 has been shown as a rear end loader and the embodiment of Fig. 2 as a front end loader, it is to be expressly understood that the former may -be used as a front end loader and the latter as a rear end loader. Similarly, while Fig. 1 shows the embodiment there illustrated as mounted on a truck and Fig. 2 shows the embodiment there illustrated as mounted on a tractor, it is to be expressls7 understood that the former may be used on a tractor and the latter on a truck.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 and 3, the present invention is shown as embodied in an attachment for transporting and dumping equipment of the general type shown for example in Dempster Patent No. 2,179,779, granted November 14, 1939, for Transporting 'and Dumping Equipment, but it is to be expressly understood that if desired the rig now to be described may be furnished originally as a complete loading unitof the dipper type.

As here illustrated, the chassis l0 of a truck of any suitable character is provided with a horizontal frame I4 that may be secured to the chassis in any suitable way, as by bolts 9 and tie members 8, or the frame may be a part of the chassis. Frame I4 provides a pair of parallel channel-shaped tracks running lengthwise of the frame as in said Dempster patent, and a carriage 3 I3 mounted on suitable rollers I2 may be moved forwardly and rearwardly on said tracks by a piston or plunger operating in a cylinder II carried by said frame and connected to the carriage I 3 by a plunger or piston rod I5. Mounted on said carriage I3 is an upwardly extending frame member I6 of any suitable construction, said member acting as a skidway when the rig is used as a transporting and dumping rig, and being rendered suitably rigid by bracingr I'I as well understood in the art. The rear end of the frame may be provided with an apron I8 to act as an abutment for the dipper to be `described as well as for buckets and other loads when frame I6 is used as a skidway.

Pivotally mounted at on said frame i4, at the forward end thereof, is a boom 2l preferably composed of a pair of boom arms pivoted at the opposite sides of said frame and connected at their free ends by a rigid transverse member 205'.. A second. transverse connecting member 221 in the boom` structure has pivotally attached thereto at 23f the rod 24 of a piston or plunger 25 workingY in a cylinder 2E; which. is pivoted at 2l to a transverse frame member' 28 supported' in any suitable way on frame I4r. Suitable piping for conveying, fluid under-pressure to the cylinders. ItIf and 25 is shown at 29 and may be connected to any suitable pump and reservoir carried by theY vehicle.

By introducinguid of any suitable character, preferably oil, by means. of a pump that may be powered from the. engineof the vehicle, plunger 25S may be moved outwardly with respect to the cylinder 26,. pivoting the boom from the full line position shown'in Fig. l to they dotted line position; and when the end of the boom is provided with; suitableV hooks,v chains or cables, any suitable bucket or other load may be moved thereby up theskidway I6, after which by operating the; cylinder and piston mechanism II, I5 the carriage I3, I6, may be moved. forwardly with respect to: the truck chassis; then by withdrawing uid fromthe cylinder 2S the load may be depositedon the inclined frame membersy I9, all as well understood in the" art. By reverse operation. the; load may be picked up from the frame members I9- and moved to-the rear of the chassis for deposit or dumping. The rig as so farY described constitutes a transporting and dumping. rigA well knowny tothe art and thereforev itis not shown or described in greater detail.

While the loading provisions next to be described are preferably used with or incorporated in: arig: of theI type. wherein the skidway may bemoved' forwardly and. rearwardly with respect to the chassis by piston and cylinder mechanism I Ir, I5 for reasons to be explained, it is to be expressly' understood that within the broader aspectsA ofthe' present invention these provisions may be. used with or incorporated in another well knownV type of' rig; of similar construction except that' the upwardly extending member I6 is fastened; rigidly in positionat the rear of the frame I4. instead of being movable rearwardly and forwardly thereon.

According to the present invention when embodied in an attachment for rigs of the type above described means are. provided whereby a dipper and actuating mechanism therefor may befreadilyadded to the upwardlyextending member I6 or skid frame andoperated by the boom mechanism, andas readily removed so that by use of hooks; chains. orY cablesv the-rig; may be used at other times as, ai transporting and dumping equipment, although if preferred the entire rig including the parts above described may be originally installed as a unit designed only as an operating mechanism for a dipper. As here shown, a dipper stick 30 is pivotally attached to member IG at 3S and at 32 to the wall 42 of a dipper 3E of any suitable form, size and construction. While, if preferred, a single dipper stick 30 may be pivoted to the member I in the median transverse plane thereof, with a medial pivotal attachment to the dipper, the present invention preferably ernploys a pair of like dipper sticks 3E! pivotally mounted at the sides of member I6 and on spaced lugs on the dipper wall 42. The pivotal mounting'SI may be of any suitable construction but when the dipper mechanism is provided as an attachment the pivots may conveniently take the form of readily insertable and removable bolts so as to facilitate the conversion of the rig from one to function as a transporting and dumping equipment to one to function as a dipper loading equipment.

Dipper 33 has the usual open side G0 and the side 54 which performs the digging function is suitably reinforced and provided with a suitable beveled tongue or a plurality of beveled teeth 34 for biting into the material into which the dipper is to be forced. Pivotally attached to the sides of the dipper at 35- are rigid rods Se which are pivoted at 31 to the free ends of the arms of the boom 2 l. Also pivotally attached at 38 on lugs on the wall 42 of said dipper are arms 3% that are pivotally attached to the dipper sticks at 4) so as to control the angular position of the dipper with respect to the dipper stick, and said arms 39 preferably have a plurality of apertures 4I so as to provide adjustment of the length of the arms 39 from thepivots 40 on the dipper sticks 30 to the pivots 38 on the dipper Dipper 33 is also provided with a movable wall 43 at its side opposite the open side and whichv becomes a dump bottom when the dipper is moved to the dotted line position in Fig. l. Said movable Wall may be of any suitable construction and is here shown as providedy with a pair of bars 44 (see Fig. 3) which are curved at 45 (Fig. l) with the free ends of said curved portions` 45 pivotedA at 46 on lugs on the wall 42 of the dipper, the pivot axis being' so disposed that when the dipper is moved to its upper dumping position the wall` 43`. will move clear of the opening in the dipper, while when the dipper is restored to its digging position as' shown in full lines in Fig. 1 the wall 43 will move back into dipper closing position where it will be automatically locked by the latch mechanism next to be described.

As shown in Fig. 3, wall 43' carries a rectilinearly movable latch bar 48 pivoted at 49 to a lever 5U that is pivoted at 5I on said wall 43. Latch bar 48 extends under one or more'suitable guide members 52 and` has its free endV projecting through a suitable opening in acatch member 53formed on or secured in any suit'ableway to the wall 54 of the dipper. Lever 50 is urged by aY spring 55,. attached. at itsV opposite ends to the lever 5D and to the wall Iiiv of the dippenso as to project the end of bar 48 into the opening in the member 53, andthe end of said bar 48 is suitably beveled or curvedsol that when. the movable wall 43A swings into closed position the latch bar- 48 is cammed inwardly against. the tension of the spring 55 until it is in alignment with the opening in the member 53 whereupon the spring 55 will draw the latch bar into its locking position.

Attached tothe end 56 `of the lever 58 is a suitable cord or cable 51 which extends upwardly and is attached at 58 to a point on` the member I6 which is at a suitable distance below the pivot 3|. Cable 51 preferably has at a-suitable point in its length a turnbuckle 59 so that the length of said cable maybe adjusted to function as next to be described. Owing to the fact that the cable 51 is attached to the member I6 at a point below the pivot 3l, movement of the dipper stick beyond an approximately horizontal position results in the distance between the point 58 and the point 56 on the dipper being increased so that, as the length of the cable 51 between said points 56 and 58 is substantially fixed, the lever is pulled in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 to withdraw the latch bar 48 out of the opening in member 53. Thereby the wall 43, which is now in approximately horizontal position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, will swing around its pivot 46, discharging the contents of the dipper. When, however, the dipper is returned to the position shown in full lines in Fig. l, cable 51 is slackened so that the latch bar 48 is freeto be returned into locking engagement with the member 53 by spring 55 as heretofore described.

Whether the loading mechanism is supplied originally as a complete unit as shown in Fig. 1 or the dipper mechanism is provided as anattachment for a transporting and dumping equipment already in service, lowering of the boom 2l to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 i

disposes the dipper 33 in digging position. In this position the rods 36 extending from the free end of the boom 2l to the sides of the dipper press the dipper firmly into engagement with the surface at which the digging is to occur. 'Ihen by moving the boom 2l upwardly by means of the plunger 25 the-dipper is made to swing through an arc, the lip or teeth 34 biting into the material to be loaded and forcing the same through the open side 60 into the dipper. Owing to the disposition of the cylinder 26 a powerful leverage is imposed on the dipper, and at the same time the dipper may be swung through a relatively large arc while the travel of the plunger 25 may be kept within conveniently short limits. When the dipper reaches theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 the cable 51 automatically releases the movable wall 43 which, because of the character and location of its pivotal mounting, swings free to permit discharge of the content of the dipper. Release of pressure in the cylinder 26 will thencause the boom and dipper to return to the full line position shown in Fig. 1, the movable wall 43 being automatically locked in closed position when the dipper is returned to digging position as before explained. When, as preferred, the frame or skidway I6 is mounted for movement longitudinally of the truck chassis the mechanism described possesses the additional advantage that by admitting rluid pressure alternately to opposite sides of the plunger in cylinder ll a crowding action maybe imposed on the dipper, the latter being moved back and forth in a substantially horizontal direction to overcome resistance, loosen boulders or otherwise obtain the benets of so called crowding as understood in the art.

Referring now to Fig. 2 wherein a loading mechanism embodying the present invention is if to spaced lugs on the dipper at 83.

shown as mounted as a front end loader on a tractor, 62 designates any `suitable frame mounted on the chassis of the tractor of any suitable character and construction, or itmay be the chassis frame of the tractor. The end of the frame 62 is shown as provided with an apron 6l. Mounted on frame 62 is suitable upright framing 63 braced at 64 and on which is pivoted at 65 a boom 66 preferably composed of a pair of side arms suitably connected at their free end by a transverse member 61 so that when in lowered position the boom may straddle the engine 68. The arms of boom 66 are also connected by a suitable rigid transverse member 69 to which is pivoted the fluid pressure mechanism for raising and lowering the same. While a single centrally arranged iluidpressure device may be used where space permits, the embodiment illustrated comprises a pair ofrcylinders 10 pivoted to the frame 62 at 1I and having plungers 12 which are pivotally connected at 13 to member 69 at or adjacent the sides of the boom. v

In this embodimentA an upstanding frame 15 is pivotally mounted at 16 on the end of the frame 62 and has pivotally mounted thereon at its upper end, as shown at 11, a generally L-shaped dipper stick 18 that is pivotally connected at 19 to any suitable dipper 80 which may be, and is illustrated as, of the same -construction as in the embodiment of Fig. 1. In the form shown, the frame 15 is of generally rectangular construction and a pair of dipper sticks 18 are pivotally connected at the sides of the frame 15 and on spaced lugs on the dipper 80, but if preferred, a single dipper stick 18 may be disposedV in the transverse medial plane of the dipper 88, in which event the frame 15 may be a centrally varranged upright lever or narrow frame member disposed in the transverse medial plane of the frame 62. As in the embodiment of Fig. 1 rigid rods or links 8l, or it could be a centrally arranged rigid rod or link, are pivotally connected to the free end of the boom at 82 and A control arm or arms 84 are also pivoted on the dipper at 85 and to the dipper stick or sticks 18 at 86, arm or arms 84 being preferably provided with a plurality of apertures 81 for adjustment of the effective length of vsaid arm or arms'as explained in conjunction with the movement of Fig. l. Frame 63,64 also carries a suitable rigid .transversely extending member 85 supported on suitable frame elements 86, and pivotally mounted on said member 85 at 81 are one or a pair of cylinders 88 whose plungers 89 are pivotally connected to the frame 15 at 98. A single cylinder and plunger 88 and 89 maybe disposed in the medial transverse plane of the frame 62 but if it is desired that the iluid pressure mechanism clear the engine a pair of such devices are used, one at `each side of the structure.

Dipper has a movable wall 9i pivoted tothe side of the dipper at 92 as in the embodiment of Fig. 1, and Wall 9| is preferably provided with an automatic latch mechanism which may be of the same construction as shown in Fig. 3. As in the embodiment of Fig. 3, said latch mechanism is connected by a cord or cable 94 to the frame 15 at a point 95 which is suitably below the pivot 11 so that swinging of the dipper beyond a substantially horizontal position will effect the jautomatic release of the latch and the opening of the wall 9i as heretofore described in conjunction with the embodiment of Fig. 1.

In operation, the dipper is manipulated from the. boom 66 in the same manner as heretofore described with respect to the embodiment of Fig. l, the dipper being automatically discharged as described in conjunction with that embodiment. In this embodiment, however. the crowding action is effected by the operation of the plunger or plungers 89 which maybe actuated from any suitable source of fluid under pressure, also used in actuating plungers 12, to tilt the frame 'l5 around its pivot 16 and thereby effect forward and rearward motion of the dipper 80 to obtain the desired crowding action. This embodiment has the further advantage that by actuation of the plunger or plungers 89 the frame 15 may be disposed in a plurality of angular positions, moving the same toward the right from its vertical position as viewed in Fig. 2 for shoveling into material on a down grade, or moving to the left from its verticalA position as viewed in this figure for shoveling on an up grade. Thereby the dipper can be made to dig into material which is below or above the surface on which the vehicle is disposed. The L-shaped form of the dipper stick or sticks 18 also has the advantage of tending to hold the dipper firmly against the apron 6l, while the rod or rods 8| function to press the dipper downwardly onto the surface with whichl the dipper is to cooperate as heretofore explained with respect to the embodiment of Fig. l.

It will therefore be perceived that by the present invention a loading mechanism has been provided which may be readily mounted on either atruck or a tractor and disposed thereon so as to operate either as a rear end loader or a front end loader. The loading mechanism may also be provided as a complete unit as manufactured. or, as in the `case of the embodiment of Fig. l, it may be provided as a conveniently operable attachment that may be supplied for use with transporting and dumping equipment either of the type wherein the skidway thereof is stationary or of the type wherein the skidway there of is movable forwardly and rearwardly with rcspect to the axis of the vehicle.

By reason of the fluid-pressure operation of the boom directly connected to the dipper through the rod or rods at the free end of the boom, as well as through the dipper stick or sticks, the dipper may be firmly pressed into contact Awith the surface with which it is to cooperate and then swung through a relatively wide arc for deposit of the scouped-up material, the

discharge of said material being automatically effected as soon as the dipper has reached a predetermined elevation, after which the movable wall of the dipper is automatically returned to and locked in closed position as soon as the dipper is returned to digging position. By adjustment of the pivotal connection of the dipper stick to the dipper by armor arms 39, 01284 the desired angular relationship of the dipper to the dipper stick may be nicely predetermined, and by adjustment of the turnbuckle in .the cable ,51 or- 94 the level at which automatic dumping is effected may likewise .be .exactly fixed. lThe loading attachment of the present invention is strong and rugged, readily manipulated,` flexible in operation, simple in .construction so that it is easy to fabricate and assemble, and highly .eincient in performing its several functions.

While the embodiments of the present inszention illustrated on the drawings have been described with considerable particularity. it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as the same is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art While changes may be made in the details of construction,.arrangement, size., proportion, etc., of the component parts. parts may be substituted by equivalent parts, and certain features used without other features. without departing from the spirit of this invention. Reference is therefore to be had to the claims hereto appended for a definition of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In loading equipment of the character described, the combination of a frame, a boom having a pivotal mounting adjacent an end of said frame, fluid pressure operated mechanism for raising and lowering said boom, an upwardly extending member mounted on a fixed pivot adjacent the other end portion of said frame said pivot holding said member against lengthwise movement, power means for pivoting said upwardly extending member about said pivot, a dipper stick pivoted to the upper end portion of said member, a, dipper connected to said dipper stick and rigid link means pivotally connecting said boom and said dipper for relative bodily movement of said dipper stick with respect to said boom.

`2. In loading equipment of the character described, the combination of a frame, a boom on a pivot adjacent an end of said frame, duid pressure operated mechanism for raising and lowering said-boom, an upwardly extending member carried adjacent the other end portion of said frame on a xed pivot, power means for pivoting said upwardly extending member about said second pivot, a dipper stick pivoted to the upper end portion of said member, a dipper connected to said dipper stick, and rigid link means pivotally connected to said ydipper and to the free end of said boom, said last-named means comprising a rod pivotally connected to the free end of said boom and to said dipper and operable by said boom to press said dipper into engagement with the surface with which the dipper is to cooperate.

3. In loading equipment .of the character described, the combination of a frame, a boom having a stationary pivotal mounting adjacent an end portion of said frame, fluid pressure .operated mechanism for raising and lowering said boom, an upwardly extending member car.- -ried by a fix-ed pivot adjacent the other end portion of said frame power means for pivoting said upwardly extending member about said pivot, a vdipper stick pivoted at one end to the upper end portion of said member, means for securing an implement to the .other end of said dipper stick, and rigid link means pivotally connected to said boom for swinging said dipper stick in a vertical plane for relative bodily movement with respect to .said boom. v

4. In loading equipment of the Acharacter described, the combination of a frame, a boom having a .stationary pivotal mounting adjacent an ,end .of said frame and normally extending approximately horizontally and relatively par allel to said frame, fluid pressure .operated mechanism for raising and lowering said boom, an upwardly extending member mounted on a fixed pivot adjacent the other end portion of said frame, said pivot holding said member .against lengthwise movement, power means for pivoting said upwardly extending member on said sup- 9 port, a dipper stick pivoted to the upper end portion of said member, a dipper connected to said clipper stick and rigid link means pivotally connecting said boom and said dipper for relative bodily movement of said dipper stick with respect to said boom.

GEORGE R. DEMPSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 111e of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 563,857 Hetlesaeter Joly 14, 1896 1,302,857 Sabina May 6, 1919 Number 

